Pyrotechnic starter composition



l atented Apr. 18, 1933 GEORGE U. GRAFF, OF WASHINGTON, DISTRTC-T OFCOLUMBIA.

PYROTECHNIC STARTER COMPOSITION No Drawing.

Application filed May 18, 1932.; Serial No. 612,149.

(GRANTED UNDER THE ACT OF MARCH 3, 1883, AS AMENDED APRIL 30, 1928; 3700. G. 757) This invention relates to a composition for igniting smokepots, smoke candles, stars, flares, and other pyrotechnic devices. It isthe object of my invention to provide a com position for the purposespecified that is resistant to moisture, is substantially non-gaseous inburning and has a high heat of combustion.

With the above. and other objects in view,

the invention consists in the construction, combination and arrangementof parts as will be described more fully hereinafter.

V The compositions employed for producing lights of great intensity instars, flares and like articles usually contain considerable percentagesof powdered metal such as iron, aluminum and magnesium and various saltsthat require a high temperature to initiate com-' bustion. Ordinaryfuses do not develop the heat required for this purpose and it istherefore necessary to employ some agent having a low kindlingtemperature and a high temperature of combustion that will be ignited bythe fuse and will produce the relatively intense heat to cause thepyrotechnic charge to burn. This is the function of the startercomposition herein disclosed.

The ingredients and their approximate relative proportions are:

gaseous in burning and develop intense heat. A further advantage is thatthey are much less afiected by moisture than previously knowncompositions used for the specified purpose and hence do not require thegreat care usually necessary in storing the composition either incontainersor when charged in a pyrotechnic device.

While certain proportions of the ingredients have been stated it isunderstood that they may be varied considerably to change the rate ofcombustion, the heatdeveloped, etc., the limits to such proportionsbeing those beyond which the desired reactions will not occur. Alteringthe relative proportion of the copper oxide is especially efficacious incontrolling the quantity of heat evolved by the burning of thecomposition.

It will be understood that the above description comprehends only thegeneral and preferred embodiment of my invention, and that variouschanges therein may be made Within the scope of the appended claimswithout sacrificing any of :the advantages of my invention. 7

The invention described herein may be manufactured and used by or forthe Government of the United States of America for governmental purposeswithout the payment of any royalty thereon.

I claim:

1. A pyrotechnic starter composition con; taining substantially 10 partsof calcium silicide, 30 parts of lead peroxide, and 25 parts of fusedsilicon.

2. A pyrotechnic starter composition containing substantially 10 partsof calcium silicide. 15 parts of lead peroxide, 30 parts of fusedsilicon, and 30 parts of copper oxide.

3. A pyrotechnic starter composition having as ingredients calciumsilicide, lead peroxide, fused silicon, and copper oxide.

GEORGE U. GRAFF.

